85
Reviewed by:
EpiExplorer, on june 30, 2009 4 of 5 people found this review helpful

Price paid: $ 100

Purchased from: GuitarWorld - NY city

Sound: As one of the leading and most famous products of EMG, it definatly lives up to a reputation.
Its sound is, bluntly put, massive. As a humbucker, its made for being a rythm pickup and having a huge crunch to it. And that it does. To me, it makes the sound of the guitar much thicker, it vastly improves the sound of a guitar, and gives it a unique tone too. I'm also able to mimic a vast range of band sounds, like Machine Head, Slipknot, Amon Amarth and to a lesser extent Scar Symmetry (cheap but good 7 strings are hard to find).
Its got a very strong ''80's heavy metal'' quality to it, making it very appealing to the ears, so to speak. Sounds great for playing anything heavy, makes palm muting sound very chuggy like old Judas Priest or Metallica.
It is best paired off with another EMG, possibly an 89 or in my experience an 81, which is a classic pickup set-up.
The only thing I'm not comfortable with is its sort of, disdain for the top 3 strings (G B E). They sound incredibly thin, and even with the volume fully up, you cant get rid of the plucking sound which dominates the tone. That said however, in my set up of an Epiphone Explorer with an EMG 81 at the bridge and the 85 at the neck and the toggle switch in the middle, it has a very good solo-ing tone for Machine Head, particularly for their album, the Blackening. This has become my main tone for playing.
It actually has a positive effect to distortion, it requires less effort for hammering and improves the crunch by a substantial amount and responds much better than an 1.
I'd say keep the pickup in the neck position, it has no use in the bridge because of the confusing sound you get. By confusing I mean it has no real place, its too strong for soloing but with too much bass for rythm playing. // 9

Reliability & Durability: Like the 1 I wrote about earlier, it seems very durable, the only thing needing to be replaced is the battery which lasts very long indeed. Apprently if you have two battery connections it improves the sound somewhat, I havent tried this as it has a large electric fault factor.
I can definately say I'd replace it if it did break. May be a pain because of installation waiting periods and the fact that its pretty expensive to buy. But dont let that put you off, if you happen to have 90 for a small, absolutely magical electromagnet, then dont hesitate! // 8

Overall Impression: Its a bit hard to fault, overall, though it does have some problems. Price for one, it costs a lot for the actual pickup, and it does increase the price of guitars with pre-installed pickups by quite a lot, such as when comparing the Ibanez MBM2 (Matt Bachand Signature and the Ibanez MTM2 (Mick Thomson Signature), The MBM2 is around 490 and uses an 81/85 setup, while the MTM2 is more or less the same except from the paint job and the headstock, yet the MTM2 has Ibanez passive V7/V8 pickups, and is around 100 less.
As mentioned, I installed this into an Epiphone Explorer, which is a somewhat basic guitar, but the EMG makes it sound as good as something 3 times as expensive. And I wouldnt have it any other way.
In all honesty, I couldnt imagine having a guitar without it. It just feels so good to play. Also, it looks killer, very smooth and shiny with that golden logo on it and of course, black goes with everything.
In my humble opinion, if you're thinking about buying one then get it, the only thing you need to think about is what its attatched to (or not attatched to). // 9

85
Reviewed by:
sea`, on october 25, 2012 1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Sound: The EMG 85 is commonly used as a neck position pickup, and for good reason. It has a high output, and a rich, warm low-end which still retains clarity and articulation thanks to a small peak in the highs. On some guitars, this can come across as a bit muddy, however, when paired with the right tonewood, the EMG 85 can really Shine as a powerful, but smooth pickup.
The EMG 85 is best in two applications - clean tones and smooth lead playing. Played clean, it is very balanced and precise, with good picking dynamics coming through (more so than the EMG 81). It lacks the nasally quality of the EMG 81, without the upper-mid peak largely responsible for the 81's infamous "sterility." This makes it ideal for jazzy Chord work and arpeggios, especially when played with effects. However, it won't really manage crunchy blues rhythms or distorted power chords, as the low-end tends to dominate too much.
As a lead pickup, the EMG 85 is fantastic. The clear highs allow for extremely precise playing when under overdrive or gain, and the smooth mids and warm lows really help notes sustain and sing in a way few other pickups do. Although highly distorted lead tones work well with the EMG 85, it'll also do a decent job with more conventional rock or even blues lead provided you don't absolutely require a more traditional tone. // 8

Reliability & Durability: The EMG 85, like most EMG pickups, is cased in epoxy and is not vulnerable to dust, hair and similar foreign matter that can sometimes get stuck in open-coil pickups. EMG pickups are world-class and dependable, built to very exacting standards, and I trust them to sound and function just as well years to come.
As an active pickup, the EMG 85 requires external power from a 9V battery to power its preamp. Battery life is roughly 6 months of daily use, provided that the instrument cable is unplugged when the guitar is not in use, which is quite reasonable all things considered, no worse than any other active pickup, and even a bit better in my experience. The active preamp ensures virtually no hum from the pickup itself, which is a big benefit for high-gain or high-volume playing, and is a worthwhile trade-off. // 9

Overall Impression: The EMG 85 is not my favourite pickup by any means, but where it excels it is more than worthwhile. Although a warm pickup, it lacks the same boosted mid peak common in more traditional pickups, which means that it isn't ideal for certain styles of music. For full, rich clean jazzy chords and arpeggios, or smooth, overdriven and distorted leads, it is near-perfect.
Like other active pickups, the preamp does tend to amplify your mistakes, so adjusting your technique may be required to get the most out of it. Also like other active pickups, you can't expect to use your amp set up for passive pickups - the EMG 85 is particular and getting the best from it requires a bit more than plug-and-play.
The EMG 85 I have came installed from the factory with my LTD MH-1000FR. I have had no reliability issues whatsoever with it, nor with any other EMG pickups I have owned in other guitars. I have never used it as a bridge pickup, however, I have heard it can work better in the bridge than the commonly-paired EMG 81 manages in the neck, and dual EMG 85 guitars are not uncommon.

85
Reviewed by:
Fenderexpx50, on september 02, 2011 0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Price paid: $ 75

Purchased from: eBay

Sound: It has a bit more output than the 81 according to EMGs chart. Can't really remember how much, something in the 2-2.4 volt area. It's fairly bass heavy, has good mids, but the treble seems to not be as present as on a passive or the 81. Probably has to due with my guitar being all mahogany and the alnico magnet. I've used 85's in both positions. Does well in all of them really.
In this particular guitar in the bridge, it sounds great. It's got a really heavy, dark sound due to the pickups inherent tonal qualities and the thick mahogany body guitar. But it doesn't get muddy at all. It stays crystal clear even under high gain. It's a lot warmer sounding than the 81 which I like. I never cared for the 81 myself. I really like even though it's really bass heavy it can still have a defined sound.
At home, I use it with a Vox Valvetronix. Sounds good through that. For times when I actually play out, I've got a Fender Champ 25SE and two overdrive pedals I use. The EMG makes that setup sound really heavy. I can actually go for some 80's metal and almost get there. No fault of the 85, but without real preamp tubes it doesn't sound quite right to me. It hits the amp nice and hard. It also has this tightness about it that no passive pickup I've heard has. Very articulate. It's important to me that the sound be very clear. The only downside is the slight loss of treble you get. // 9

Reliability & Durability: It'll last. It's sealed up in epoxy. Short of doing something crazy, I think it'll be alright. The only issue with these is the battery. I replace mine every few months. They get about 170 hours in two months, but the actual life is 3000 for one. I just always keep a fresh one in there since they're not that expensive. Basically when I change strings I change it too. They don't sound good when the battery goes. // 10

Overall Impression: I really love the huge bass and clarity of the pickup. The installation is a breeze, though the prewired pots might be a bit short for your guitar if the original pots were far away from each other. I put it in a Washburn X-50 Pro in the bridge. Kind of by chance really. I had it laying around and I figured the SH-11 would sound good in my RG. It did and this kicks a-s in the Washburn. It's the only functional pickup on the guitar as of now, the '59 is out of the circuit but still in the guitar. I'm thinking of a 60A for the neck.
I've been using EMGs for nearly my whole time playing, not exclusively, but I've always had a guitar with them. They really do offer a specific sound, but if it's what you want you can't beat them. These are made for high gain amps. They're not bad clean either. I've stuck with the 85/60A setup. To me, that's the best. They do cause a slight treble drop, but I just add more when I use this guitar and it's good. But that tightness they have is worth that. EMGs are great if you want to hear yourself as clearly as possible. I'd highly recommend it to someone else.
EMGs don't quite have that organic sound a passive does, but they have the clarity and huge sound passive's don't. If you have a second or third guitar and want different tones, these might be worth a look for you. // 9

I have it in bridge position in Les Paul Custom, and sounds incredibly good. NOw, 81 is in the neck position and it seems to me sound is more balanced (85 adds some bass to the bridge, 81 takes some bass from the neck). Anyway, it's much better then 81 in the bridge, in my opinion (depends on the style you're playing). I didn't notice any "problems" with the strings you've mentioned, but every guitar is uniq, so who knows what's cousing it.

Completely agree. I find it lacking in the neck position but in the bridge it cuts a lot better than an 81. I didn't feel the like I absolutely had to boost solos(I mean I still will because it's the principle of the thing ) because I just felt it cut through more due the more midrange.
Also the 18 volt mod give more headroom and less compression, so I'm told. I plan on trying it out as I've heard almost everyone rave about it.

I run 81 at the bridge and 85 at the neck. It was set up opposite when i had them installed, but i didn't like the sound and switched them. Now i love the 81 and am only half-way happy with the 85 I don't like the way my E and A sound with it.

mekani wrote:
I have it in bridge position in Les Paul Custom, and sounds incredibly good. NOw, 81 is in the neck position and it seems to me sound is more balanced (85 adds some bass to the bridge, 81 takes some bass from the neck). Anyway, it's much better then 81 in the bridge, in my opinion (depends on the style you're playing). I didn't notice any "problems" with the strings you've mentioned, but every guitar is uniq, so who knows what's cousing it.

That's a really interesting and good point.
I have 81 in bridge, 85 in neck, but I do find my 85 in neck can be a tad over-bassy.
the 81 sounds nice and crunchy, I see maybe why Kirk Hammet likes 81/81.

81/60 is supposed to be better for cleans I heard.
I have an EMG 81 in my LP. I have it mixed with two passive humbuckers (stock right now). I am going to add in 2 Seymour Duncans, and will have the most versatile guitar in the world.
Don't expect the best cleans outta these, it's their downfall. They aren't brutal and I'm sure the 85 is better for cleans, which is why they say to get the set.

I used to have the 81 br / 85 neck in a LP studio but ended up with a 60 in the neck and felt it was much more versatile than the 86 in the neck that is. I tried 85 in bridge and got similar results to TS, G B E didnt sear like the 85 for solos so I went back to 81 bridge and dialed up more bass w/ the amp

I put 81/85s in my SG and it's an absolute dream. I play the 81 in the bridge more often, but it's all personal preference. I find that they have a really tight response and great tone for any application.

mekani wrote:
I have it in bridge position in Les Paul Custom, and sounds incredibly good. NOw, 81 is in the neck position and it seems to me sound is more balanced (85 adds some bass to the bridge, 81 takes some bass from the neck). Anyway, it's much better then 81 in the bridge, in my opinion (depends on the style you're playing). I didn't notice any "problems" with the strings you've mentioned, but every guitar is uniq, so who knows what's cousing it.

Thats true, probably cuz I have new strings, still need to be worked it so to speak

The 81/85 came standard on my LTD H-351 NT. They are the best pickups for heavy distortion in my opinion. The 85 itself, despite other opinions, I prefer in the neck because I play rhythm and the way I learned to play with a strap was higher up, almost to playing on the neck itself. All in all, great pickups for any price.

Iwas going to install a pre loaded pick guard on my strat. It has the stock single coils on it now and they are week with my Vox AC30. I need a nice clean recking ball! Would EMG's be the ticketto a walk on the wild side?

In response to your first question there's no such thing (in this context) as an active guitar. As long as the pick-ups fit in the guitar and you have room for the battery you should be able to use active pups.
As for your second question, it's a matter of preference. If you can, just go to a store and try out guitars with those pick-ups to see what you prefer. In general the 81's the best bridge pick-up for metal. The 85 is intended more for use with distortion and works well for leads and the 60 I think is more for clean playing, but works fine for leads too.
And using the 85 in the bridge is done by many, but I have no experience with it in that context. Personally, my set-up is 81/85.

Im making over $7k a month working part time. I kept hearing other people tell me how much money they can make online so I decided to look into it. Well, it was all true and has totally changed my life. This is what I do, Fox92dotcom